2017

Description

Hi there, I am a mom of 5 kids. My daughter is 17, and 4 sons, age 13,11,9 &6. My husband works often away from the home. We home educate our children, and travel to larger cities usually once per week. We live in a small town of 3500, and have a huge yard and garden which needs lots of work in the spring. We live in a passive/solar home which we hope to change over to fully solar someday. We have many animals, a dog, 2 cats, birds, fish and a bearded dragon. My kids are lots of fun, adventurous, and love meeting people!

I also work as a "Doula" offering prenatal education, and physical and emotional support for moms and their partners throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and the weeks to follow.

I love to cook and would enjoy learning new dishes from your country. We mill our own grain for bread, make our own yoghurt, butter, cheese, and try to do as much fresh, wholesome cooking as possible.

Come spring, we have a beautiful garden area with rich soil that will need planting and weeding. We have some outdoor and indoor projects to accomplish. We enjoy getting our hands dirty, and I love to be creative in the house as well as outside in the yard and garden.

My vision is to have a home where people of all ages and background can come and find relief, comfort and peace…..a bit of refuge from the busyness and stresses of life itself. Coming together as a family and community…..accomplishing daily goals and routines together.

If you think you'd like to come join our family, please feel free to contact us and ask any questions you may have.

Type of help

Help

It's great to have someone come into our family, and help to accomplish some tasks which are difficult to tackle when "dad" is away so much. Nothing too strenuous...mostly fun things that would take two adults to do.

Lot's of little projects around the house....some sanding and re-staining of furniture.....painting.....building book boxes.... and more.

Languages spoken

English/Danish

Accommodation

I can provide you with your own bedroom. The rest of the house is shared.

What else ...

Please.....NO smoking. I am very allergic.

We live 45 minutes north of Calgary, 1.5 hours from Banff, and 2 hours south of Edmonton. 1 hour from Drumheller.

We can accommodate most dietary needs, but if you are solely a meat eater, or completely gluten free, or require extra foods for your specific needs, you may need to provide some of those foods for yourself.

We eat a variety of good wholesome foods, grains, meats, fruits and vegetables.

Feedback

01/09/2014

Left by Workawayer (Martin) for host

Seriously my stay here has been one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Since the moment I got to the airport I knew I wouldn’t regret my choice, and indeed I didn’t. They have been the closest thing to a family one can expect 7500km away from home, every each of them helped me feel at home.

Laurel is an amazing person and an amazing mum… read more as well; I honestly believe we make an awesome team when it comes to working hahaha. As for the kids, they are absolutely brilliant and funny (I think I spent 99% of my time in Canada laughing). Then there is Kaja, she is 14 but when I spoke with her I completely forgot about her age, since she acts more like 18. Finally, there is Lars, he is a very nice guy and I am glad to know that this summer he had more time than usual to be with us.

I just wanna say thank you again for letting me live this experience (and so many "first times"). I'll miss you, honest, and although the kids think I am a bit of a butthead I know they like me deep down ;). Liam told me you'll never forget me, well, neither will I.

Thanks!

Martin

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

(Excellent
)

08/08/2014

Left by Workawayer (Stéphanie) for host

I went to stay with Laurel’s family as my first Workaway experience and I really enjoyed it! I felt very welcomed and comfortable with everyone. Laurel is very kind and open-minded and her boys are adorable and very interesting and interested. I enjoyed spending time with the family, at home or in the mountains, as well as discussing with the two… read more other workawayers who were staying there too.

As for the working part, I got to learn to work in the garden and also did some babysitting and cleaning around the house. I had never worked in a garden before but Laurel was always patient with me, teaching me how to do it.

Thank you for having welcomed me in your home. I wish you all the best.

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

(Excellent
)

04/06/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Lisa & Florian)

It was equally a wonderful experience having Flo & Lisa stay with us. They fit right into our family, and not only did we get many tasks done around the house and garden, but they embraced my children with warmth and enthusiasm. Baking bread and making meals together was equally enjoyable.

Thanks for taking us just the way we are, and we are… read more priveleged to have gotten to know you.

Best of luck in all of your future endeavors. Cheers!!!!

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

(Excellent
)

13/05/2014

Left by Workawayer (Lisa & Florian) for host

We would have loved to stay longer than just one month with Laurel and her wonderful family! Since the moment we walked into their house we constantly felt openness, warmth and kindness. The longer we stayed we felt like becoming part of the family and getting to know every single one of them more and more. We never had the feeling as if we were… read more unwelcome or an encumbrance to anyone.

The four boys are full of energy, curiosity, passion and joy. It was fun jumping on the trampoline, playing hide and seek, board games and frisbee, drawing, dancing or just chatting with them. We have never met such a maturely 14-year-old as Kaja. She is creative, intelligent, self-confident and humorously (such as her parents) and it was fun talking to her. Even thought we didn't got to spend a lot of time with Lars we enjoyed every minute with him. He is a hilarious and easygoing person.

Laurel is broad-minded, generous and creative. We had a lot of amazing talks and it was great to meet someone who is like-minded. It was nice working in the garden and shed with you and we loved baking delicious bread and food together with you, you were always so thankful! Thank you for taking us to some beautiful places around Carstairs!

Thank you guys for letting us join your awesome family!

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

(Excellent
)

23/01/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Rachel & Harry)

It was great to have Rachel & Harry become a part of our family in the short time they were with us. They embraced our family lifestyle with grace, and were a great help with our daily routines. The boys had a blast and Kaja thought they were fantabulous!

Both Lars and I miss our good conversations and the connection we reached with ease. … read more

Thanks to both of you for the time we could spend together and being a part of our life journey.

All the best in your future! Cheers!!!!!!

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

(Excellent
)

17/12/2013

Left by Workawayer (Rachel & Harry) for host

We spent two months with Laurel and her family, in that time we felt completely accepted and welcomed. We learnt so much from our time with such creative and generous people, who better to explore Canada with? The experience was invaluable.

The boys were a delight, all four of them unique and intelligent, oh and extremely hilarious! You'll… read more like this family if you have a sense of humour! Kaja was always warm and funny too, such a lovely person. A credit to her mother.

Laurel has got to be one of the most open-minded and kind spirited people we have ever met. Her sensitivity, but also her fiery and passionate personality made her such fun to be around. We are glad to call her and her lovely husband our friends.

Being a part of your daily life was the best experience we could of wished for. Working with the kids was so much fun. We highly recommend this to other workawayers who want to visit Canada!

Thanks so much, hope to see you all again!! :)

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

(Excellent
)

05/09/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Gerrit)

From the moment Gerrit walked through our door, he was helping with our daily chores and hanging out with our kids. He was an instant fit! I appreciate his great attitude, kindness and enthusiasm. He constantly offered to help me wherever and whenever I needed. Thanks so much Gerrit for joining us, and you are welcome back anytime!

We have so appreciated the time Anna has spent with us. Her gentle spirit and kindness was welcomed by us all. Her work ethics were great, and had no problem joining in our family life and helping me with my every day activities and tasks. We enjoyed weeding in the garden and planting a few flowers and veggies together.

Even some raw… read more camping in the wild, was tackled with enthusiasm! Way to go!

Thank you Anna for not just your constant consideration, but also for your friendship. I will remember you always!

Thank you Jenn for your great help while you were with us. I too feel it was much too short...but appreciated your motivation and natural desire plus ability to become a part of our family in such a short time. You lightened my load and I am greatly appreciative.

You are welcome back anytime!

Best of luck in your future… read more endeavours.....and everyone you meet will be fortunate to have you as a workawayer.

I unfortunately only had 6 days of availability to offer Laurel but I'm really glad it worked out that I got to experience my first few days in Canada there. It was a lovely introduction into a new country as I was made to feel completely welcome into their house and family.

I did as much as I could to help out around the house in the short… read more time I was there. Cleaning, cooking and helping with the kids. As I wasn't there long enough to help on the big projects, I was happy to give advice and be able to bounce around ideas with Laurel about landscaping. She has some wonderful plans for her house and garden and I hope that all of them come to fruition.

They are a very generous, kind-hearted and harmonious family and I am grateful for the opportunity to have met them.

Thankyou again for everything and I wish you all the best for the future!

(Excellent
)

09/06/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Alexander)

Our time with Alex was quite amazing! Within the first 24hrs, our kids had already become quite attached to him and he definitely very quickly became part of the family.

All the different tasks I had Alex help with, he did with enthusiasm and without any complaint. Even when we were shoveling manure off the back of a pick up truck, so that… read more we could borrow the truck to load a bunch of old junk and wood to take to the dump.....doing all of this in the pouring rain! Now that's dedication! Luckily, most of the other projects were not done in the pouring rain! A hard worker!

I appreciated the many warm and insightful conversations Alex and I engaged in....and my life is greatly enriched from knowing him.

My 9 year old said, "When I met our first workawayer, I didn't know what he was going to be like and so I stayed a bit in the background and when I finally opened up it was almost time for him to go. So when you arrived Alex, I didn't want to miss any time together. I love you very much and look forward to you coming back soon I hope......Liam"

We all miss you Alex, and are thankful you chose our family to volunteer your time with. You are an asset......to us and to all those who have the privilege to meet you......in so many ways!

Thank you!

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours and look forward to seeing you again soon.

This workawayer has chosen to keep their profile private, but can be contacted regarding this feedback by other workawayers.

(Excellent
)

06/06/2013

Left by Workawayer (Alexander) for host

The month spent with Laurel and her exceptionally loving, caring and kind-hearted family has been the best consecutive four weeks of my life so far. If you're lucky enough to end up as a workawayer here, expect to feel welcomed and included from the moment you're greeted at the airport, until the moment when you're leaving (which was hard to do,… read more trust me). I got to know a wonderful country with the most majestic natural scenery I've ever seen - in the company of the friendliest family unit I've ever come across, guided by an amazingly insightful, strong and courageous Mother and her very likeable and witty husband. Their five children are all angels in their individual, distinguishable manner and full of warmth and attention for other living beings around them - there's never a dull or lonely second in close proximity!

Highly recommended to workawayers cherishing inner wealth, spectacular wilderness and wildlife nearby, mutually enriching conversations in an open-minded environment, a high energy level and tons of priceless memories to bring back home!:-)

Again, thanks for greatly improving the quality of my everyday life - I love all of you and can't wait to see you again.

This workawayer has chosen to keep their profile private, but can be contacted regarding this feedback by other workawayers.

(Excellent
)

11/04/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Geoffrey)

Our family was very grateful to have Geoffrey stay with us. He truly did become a part of our family. We laughed and cried together, and even got some work done around the house : ) We all miss Geoffrey very much and hope he comes back someday for a visit. He has set a high standard for future workawayers! Thanks Geoffrey, for being you and… read more accepting us for who we are too! Cheers!

This workawayer has chosen to keep their profile private, but can be contacted regarding this feedback by other workawayers.

(Excellent
)

09/04/2013

Left by Workawayer (Geoffrey) for host

No doubt about it, this family is one of the most wonderful and great host families on the entire workaway website!! I stayed with them for 3 months and not only did they say I was part of the family, I also really felt like being a family member. An amazing feeling!! I could be myself and they are very open-minded and open for other views and… read more ideas, and I have learned a lot from them too!! They did a lot more for me than what you can expect from a host, and I can only be very very thankful for that!! I had an amazing, life-changing, experience and it's not possible to put a value on that! They have 5 wonderful and unique children, with their own personalities and nature and it was a lot of fun playing with them and making jokes together!! 3 of the very best months in my life!!

I miss you guys a lot!! And thank you very much for such a great and unforgettable time in Canada!! You are in my heart forever!

This workawayer has chosen to keep their profile private, but can be contacted regarding this feedback by other workawayers.